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Why a Senior Dog?
So many cute and wiggly puppies, so many younger dogs with many years ahead of them. Why would anyone want to adopt a senior? Why would anyone take the chance of heartache that the loss of a dog can bring?
When you ask that question to people who have adopted an older dog you will get many answers.
Maybe…
They wanted a dog that is quieter and doesn’t need as much exercise. Though that is not always the case!
They wanted a dog that is already housetrained and settled in who they are. They wanted to give a second chance to a dog whose life has not been good until they were taken into rescue. What happens when you adopt a senior dog? When you first take in your senior and see their joy in a car ride, a special treat, a warm, soft bed it is a humbling experience. Little did you know that the things that younger dogs have taken for granted are treasured by a senior. Each soft touch from you, each caring word, each welcome home is collected by these dogs, as precious to them as any bone. They will allow you to see the world with golden warmth as you remember the
importance of patience and understanding and how to just sit and watch…a sunset…a bee…someone’s smile.
A senior dog gives us the opportunity to be our very best person. They do it without knowing, but with a nudge, a wag, a look, they allow us to face our fears of loss with dignity and compassion. Just like they do.
And if we are lucky, they are with us for much longer than we could ever imagine. No matter what, we are blessed with the lessons that they have taught us.
One By One
One by one, they pass by my cage,too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can't run and play.
Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.
A little old man, arthritic and sore, it seems I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed, a place that was warm, and where I was fed.
Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn't belong,I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.
Whatever excuse they made in their head, can't justify how they left me for dead.
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day, the younger dogs get adopted away.
When I had almost come to the end of my rope,you saw my face, and I finally had hope.
You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age, and felt I still had life beyond this cage.
You took me home, gave me food and a bed, and shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low, you love me so dearly, you want me to know.
I may have lived most of my life with another, but you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give, to you, my dear person, as long as I live.
I may be with you for a week, or for years, we will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave, I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve.
And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new, my thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
And I will brag to all who will hear, of the person who made my last days so dear.
*Leslie Whalen*
Reasons to Adopt a Senior Dog
Senior dogs love to sleep and cuddle the day away. They enjoy a brisk daily walk, but the best part of the day is the nap. They love for you to join them.
Senior dogs have a tremendous amount of love to give. When you rescue a senior dog, you have a best friend for life.
Senior dogs reward your care with an unwavering devotion. Nothing matches the love of a senior dog for his rescuer.
Senior dogs have learned many of life's lessons. They know, for example, that shoes are for walking and bones are for chewing.
Senior dogs know that great outdoors is for eliminating and the house is for relaxing. Your carpet will last longer with a senior dog.
Senior dogs can learn new tricks and be valuable family and community members. They make excellent therapy dogs.
Senior dogs often fit into your household with ease. They find the softest, warmest spot in the house and claim it for their own, but they will share with you, too.
Senior dogs make excellent companions for everyone, especially senior people.
Senior dogs are often the first to be killed in area shelters. Passed over for cute and cuddly puppies, they often do not have a chance and must go to make space for more puppies.
Adopting a senior dog saves a life!
Adopted
Mila FKA Mindy
Hi Everyone from Miss Mila! When Mila first came into foster care she was pretty confused. Her person had gotten her as a baby puppy and they were all that each other had in the whole world, then her person got sick. She went to stay at a relative's house and lived outside in a kennel for seven months. Then they found out her person would not get better and would have to live in a nursing home forever. Mila was all alone in the world, and was going to end up in a shelter.
The people at BDBH felt really bad for her. Instead of going to a shelter, Mila got to stay at a vet office for the holidays. While most dogs might not think that sounds like much fun, Mila did really well. She made friends with everyone, had kennel ladies talking to her (and she talked back), and the receptionists were spoiling her too.
Mila has truly blossomed from the sad creature we took in to the vet office, to a sassy senior (and she would say who you calling a senior, lady!). At the age of nine, she has a silly and sweet nature that makes you laugh. Mila has a bit of a mind of her own but is always willing to listen to your thoughts. You will know if she thinks you are doing it wrong, but in a funny and adorable manner. She is social with people and other animals. Mila is living with other dogs and cats and doing well with all. She can be a little pushy sometimes with the cats, but a "knock it off silly" stops her. She especially likes the idea of being redirected back to you - because being with her person is the best thing in the world to her.
She is as devoted and faithful as a dog could ever be. In her previous home it seems like she and her owner were the centers of each others' universes and Mila thrives when she can be the focus of your attention. She lets you do other things of course, but loves to be a part of your life. While she may push the limits on rare occasions, tentatively and hilariously, she really likes to have the reassurance of her person being gently in charge. She's had to stay in another foster home a couple of times when I had to o out of town and she was a perfect lady.
Mila has eye issues that are somewhat common in German Shepherds that require daily eye drops and a yearly eye doctor visit - we should all have those anyway, right! Like all of as we age, she's got some creaky joints but gets Dasuquin daily and is doing really well now that she is getting more activity. Mila has lost weight and that is giving her some good energy. She would love someone who would balance out her need for exercise with an understanding of her limits. She frolics - I cannot believe it, but she does. When she first came here she just seemed so sad and now she sings and dances.
Mila is probably the sister of my very own dog and she is definitely the more social and upbeat of the two! She has gone to festivals and events and enjoys watching all the goings on. I understand peoples' concerns about adopting a senior - that idea that you may not have much time. I adopted a senior GSD myself and had those same thoughts but I found out in the end that the amount of time did not matter, what she gave to me in that time, did.
Update May 26:
I am convinced pets come to us to teach us things. Sometimes it is a lesson only for their people and other times it is meant to be shared in the hopes it can help others.
Mila went to the vet for her wellness check today and tested positive for heartworm. Mila is a local girl who was outside for 7 months and not on prevention before we got her. While being outside may have upped her chances of getting the infection, without prevention she had no protection at all and we all know mosquitoes get in our homes.
Mila will have to undergo difficult heartworm treatment. With all your good wishes we will do our best to ensure that she will be okay, but it is a very serious two month treatment period. Because we caught it early, after treatment she should have no long term impacts on her health.
But Mila serves as a very sad reminder that heartworm is indeed here in Upstate NY and that prevention is necessary for all dogs. To read more: www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/heartworm.html
Mila is one of the BDBH heartworm four. Heartworm treatment averages $700 for a large dog. Would you help us help Mila with a donation today? Click on the chip-in button on the right to donate. For up to date information on how the four are doing with their treatments please go to our blog http://bigdogsbighearts.blogspot.com/
For more information on Mila please contact her foster mom at annalisepetphoto@aol.com
Special thanks to Kim Desario Mila's guardian angel
Spayed: Yes
Up to date on Vaccines: Yes
Heartworm Test Results: Positive
Flea/Tick Preventative: Yes
Microchipped: Yes
Housebroken: Yes
Please contact Mila's foster about her availability at Meet and Greets.
Available for Adoption
My name is Lizzie. I am a dark grey sable German Shepherd Dog ("GSD"). I was born 11-6-2005. I came to BDBH from a shelter in South Carolina.
I enjoy being with my people, like any GSD, it is key that I stay well socialized with humans and dogs. I do well with my foster parents pack and while I don't currently live with cats, I could. I adore puppies and I am very appropriate with them.
I don't need to be confined in the house, because I am a very well behaved girl. I am housebroken, don't chew on anything inappropriate and don't get on furniture, unless you let me :)
I do have bilateral hip dysplasia. BDBH has taken me to an orthopedic surgeon and he suggested I take a joint supplement called Dasaquin MSM http://www.nutramaxlabs.com/vet/products/Dasuquin-for-dogs.aspx daily and an Adequan injection once a month. Adequan www.adequan.com is an injectable substance known as a "polysulfated glycosaminoglycan". Adequan has been proven to be preferentially taken up by inflamed joints when injected into the dog's muscles. It soothes and lubricates the joint, naturally reducing inflammation and pain by reducing friction. Even better, instead of just masking pain as NSAIDs, i.e., Rimadyl, Deramaxx, do, it actually helps to rebuild cartilage in the damaged joint. It's not just pain control, it's therapy.
I love to go for walks and don't be fooled, I can run in my foster parents' yard with the best of the pack. In fact, it is important to balance my exercise/play to keep my muscles strong, yet not overdo. I also love to go for car rides.
I know such things as "come, sit, down, shake take, give, OK, and my favorite--Lizzie goooood girl". I do need a leader with firm, fair, and loving guidance or I will feel that I need to step up and be your leader, which is not healthy.
To learn more about Lizzie, please email her foster parents, Michael and Darcy at darcydrons@gmail.com
Spayed: Yes
Up to date on Vaccines: Yes
Heartworm Test Results: Negative! (I was successfully treated for Heartworm)
Flea/Tick Preventative: Yes
Microchipped: Yes
Housebroken: Yes
I am located in the Rochester NY area and am typically at the meet and greets at Pet Supplies Plus in Fairport on Saturdays from 11-2pm
